Tag: renewable energy

  • Global Electricity Storage Potential Exceeds Demand

    Global Electricity Storage Potential Exceeds Demand

    Researchers at the Australian National University have recently performed a study to figure out how many suitable sites there are for pumped storage power plants. They found that a staggering 86 trillion kilowatt hours could be stored thanks to all the potential power plants that could be created and added to the power grid when necessary.

    Understanding the Scale

    To give some context, global electricity production from every source, including coal and solar energy, is currently around 30 trillion kilowatt hours, or 30 petawatt hours. This means that even if global electricity demand were to double or triple due to electrifying transportation, boosting industrial production, or generating heat, 86 trillion kilowatt hours would still be enough.

    Mapping Opportunities

    The locations for these storage power plants have been gathered into an interactive atlas, where users can filter by size and type of pumped storage plant. This makes it easier to visualize where these plants could potentially be established.

    The research team also pointed out many benefits of pumped storage power plants. For instance, they do not harm or destroy existing river ecosystems, and they can be constructed in areas with considerable height differences. Compared to traditional dams, they require much less water, and their turbines face lower pollution levels because of reduced sediment.

    Utilizing Seawater

    Additionally, seawater could be used in numerous potential sites, eliminating the need for a second reservoir and practically negating water consumption. The expected lifespan of such plants ranges from 60 to 100 years.

    Cost-wise, the expenses differ widely depending on the region and type of pumped storage plants, but it’s estimated to be around $1 billion per gigawatt of capacity. This is not significantly higher than the costs associated with current wind and solar power facilities.

    There is one drawback: these facilities can’t generate electricity; they can only store it. However, they do this effectively, as energy can be kept for up to six months with an average efficiency of 80%.

    The Need for Other Energy Sources

    Thus, the electricity itself must come from alternative sources. The researchers primarily suggest wind and solar energy for this purpose. The slow expansion of these resources is linked to inconsistent production, insufficient government support, and the lack of storage solutions.

    In conclusion, it appears that appropriate electricity storage systems can be established in nearly any location, especially on the right scale, even though they still need to be built. Nonetheless, there remains a significant amount of work to be done before this becomes a reality. Currently, only a few pumped storage power plants have a capacity of 1 gigawatt.

    Source:
    Link

  • Crypto Miner Purchases $240M Wind Farm for Low Energy Costs

    Crypto Miner Purchases $240M Wind Farm for Low Energy Costs

    Mara, a U.S. cryptocurrency mining company, has disclosed its purchase of a wind farm located in Hansford County, Texas. This step is a significant achievement in the firm’s commitment to sustainability. The wind farm boasts an interconnection capacity of 240 megawatts (MW) and a nameplate wind capacity of 114 MW, which will be crucial in the company’s efforts to enhance renewable energy usage in its data centers.

    A Strategic Move

    The acquisition, totaling $240 million, fits into Mara’s strategy of transforming underused renewable resources into economic benefits, aiming for nearly zero energy costs. This purchase is not just a financial move; it is a step towards a more sustainable future.

    Renewable Energy Goals

    The newly obtained wind farm is set to provide 100% renewable energy to a data center that Mara plans to establish at the same location. This data center will operate solely on the 114 MW capacity from the wind farm, allowing it to enjoy zero-marginal energy costs, which will greatly lower operational expenses.

    Fred Thiel, the Chairman and CEO of Mara, highlighted the strategic significance of this acquisition. He stated, “This acquisition serves as a blueprint for how the energy and data center sectors can collaborate to create long-term value while advancing sustainability initiatives.”

    Future Plans

    This wind farm purchase also fits well with the company’s intentions to merge renewable energy with its expanding data center framework. This merger aims to cut down carbon emissions and decrease bitcoin production costs through vertical integration. Much of the power that fuels the company’s data centers is sourced from the grid, wind farms, and flare gas.

    Source: Link

  • Massive Natural Hydrogen Deposits Found: 200 Years of Energy

    Massive Natural Hydrogen Deposits Found: 200 Years of Energy

    When discussing hydrogen, the situation is very straightforward: these small molecules can even seep out of large steel tanks, and they are naturally found in the earth’s crust but are released directly into the air. This process occurs uniformly across the globe, making direct use of it impractical.

    New Findings on Natural Hydrogen

    Recent discoveries of significant natural hydrogen deposits in Mali, Oman, and Germany have led to a reevaluation of the presence of these concentrated, almost pure H2 reserves. A new study published in Science Advances reveals that prior beliefs regarding the capacity for natural hydrogen production have underestimated the actual reality significantly.

    Global Demand vs. Natural Supply

    Currently, the world needs about 500 million tons of hydrogen each year to eliminate fossil fuels completely. Earlier studies estimated that only 20 to 50 million tons are produced and escape into the atmosphere annually. However, if hydrogen can accumulate in appropriate underground reservoirs—an idea that is now gaining traction—the total global supply could be around 5.6 trillion tons. This quantity would allow us to live without fossil fuels for thousands of years.

    Researchers believe that a limited amount of this hydrogen is located in areas accessible with existing drilling technology. Given this, they estimate that the available hydrogen would last approximately 200 years.

    Future of Renewable Energy

    This provides ample time to develop renewable energy resources. Meanwhile, another type of fuel can be utilized that, while still being a fossil fuel, does not emit CO2 or other harmful byproducts during its use.

    The study highlights that this approach could temporarily address the hydrogen storage issue. The adaptable fuel can be extracted as needed while leaving the remainder in suitable geological formations.

    Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge one more consideration: there is a significant margin of error in these calculations. The estimated supply ranges from 1 billion to 9 trillion tons, with the most likely figure being around 5.6 trillion tons. Even a fraction of that could lead to groundbreaking changes in energy production.

    Source: Link

  • Study Examines How Renewable Energy Affects Power Outages

    Study Examines How Renewable Energy Affects Power Outages

    As more renewable energy sources are added to the electricity grid, the reliability of electricity production is starting to decline. If there aren’t adequate storage solutions or gas-fired power plants that can quickly take over, we may experience critical issues or even total power outages repeatedly.

    Challenges with Traditional Energy Sources

    Another perspective is that long heat waves have shown that coal and nuclear power plants struggle to maintain reliable cooling. In contrast, wind turbines and solar panels consistently generate electricity during these periods, helping to stabilize the grid effectively.

    Research Findings

    To investigate the connection between increasing renewable energy use and power outages, a study from Trinity College Dublin analyzed two decades of power outage data in the USA. For instance, California already meets a significant portion of its electricity needs through renewable sources under ideal conditions, while a single nuclear power plant contributes very little to the overall base load.

    Impact on Power Outages

    Overall, the rise in wind and solar energy has not negatively affected the operational stability of the electricity grid. In three key areas, the outages that were recorded were less severe: fewer homes were impacted, the total power loss was smaller, and the average duration of each outage was shorter.

    A major factor contributing positively to stability is the widespread distribution of electricity generation. In earlier times, if a large power plant or an essential substation went offline, it often resulted in widespread outages. However, with electricity being fed into the grid from multiple sources, the effects during critical times have been limited. This highlights the benefits of decentralized energy supply.

    Optimistic Outlook for Future Energy

    Even in Ireland, where this research was conducted, the scientists remain cautiously hopeful, even though the extensive grids in the USA and Europe are more adept at handling the variable electricity production from renewables. It’s possible that electricity generation from rainfall is also being explored now.

  • Colombia Invests $40 Billion to End Fossil Fuels and Oil Production

    Colombia Invests $40 Billion to End Fossil Fuels and Oil Production

    Colombia made a significant move two years ago by stopping the development of new oil and gas reserves, and now the country is looking to invest $40 billion to help transition away from fossil fuels. Oil and coal make up over 50% of Colombia’s exports, but experts warn that these reserves will be depleted in a few years.

    Seeking Global Support

    In order to offset the expected financial hit, Colombia is counting on backing from developed nations and multilateral development banks. The nation is also known for being one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

    With its commitment to climate protection, Colombia is conveying a crucial message to the world. Susana Muhamad, who serves as the Environment Minister and is currently leading COP16 (the United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity), is a strong advocate for these initiatives.

    Investment Portfolio Focused on Alternatives

    The investment portfolio is oriented towards sectors that could potentially replace the income generated by oil.

    • Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s Environment Minister and COP16 President

    Susana Muhamad, who is pivotal in Colombia’s shift in energy policy, highlights the necessity of climate solutions that are rooted in nature, the advancement of clean energy, and the electrification of transport. She also points to sustainable tourism among other important areas.

    Biodiversity Goals at COP16

    At COP16, biodiversity initiatives showcased Colombia’s all-encompassing approach. The nation has two major targets: to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030, and to attain CO2 neutrality by 2050, aiming for a renewable energy capacity of 19 GW, which includes projects like offshore wind farms. Colombia is one of 13 nations that have endorsed the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, complementing the Paris Agreement.

    Fossil Fuel Treaty | Bloomberg | Gov.Co | Cbd.Int | Afd’


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